A new report has explained why fight talks between Jake Paul and Canelo Alvarez fell through, and it seems to simply boiled down to the Mexican legend just getting a bigger money offer from someone else.
This has been a wild last week in the world of boxing. It all started when rumors emerged that a long-talked-about super-fight between pound-for-pound stars Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez was close to being finalized for September. It excited boxing enthusiasts since it would be a rare chance for two of an era’s best fighters to face off.
Also Read: Jake Paul’s next fight – 3 opponent options for “El Gallo'” return to the ring
However, just days later new reports suggested that the discussions Saudi Arabian promoter Turki Alalshikh had worked tirelessly on had fallen apart. What made the news even more stunning was boxing rumors that Alvarez had pivoted away from a Crawford clash to one for May against fight sports lightning rod Jake Paul.
Yet, just like earlier in the week those discussions also reportedly fell apart. And then talks with Crawford had restarted. It led to a video tirade from Paul on social media yesterday. Claiming a contract was signed by both and they were planning to announce the matchup very soon.
Well, Paul and a new report have shed light on why the discussion died unexpectedly.
- Jake Paul record: 11-1 (7 knockouts)
Did Canelo Alvarez back out of the Jake Paul fight due to a better offer from the Saudis?
In his video post, Paul alluded to Alalshikh and his Saudi backers deciding to jump in and throw even more money at Alvarez to kill off a fight. A new report from ESPN seems to confirm that opinion.
“Canelo Alvarez was slated to meet Jake Paul on May 3 in Las Vegas, with sources telling ESPN that a deal was being finalized and a formal announcement imminent,” Mike Coppinger wrote. “But in a stunning development, Alvarez changed course and instead completed a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season.”
- Canelo Alvarez record: 62-2-2 (39 knockouts)
The outlet claimed that Alalshikh threatened to pull a lucrative three-fight deal off the table if Canelo Alvarez went forward with a fight against Jake Paul. “Alvarez expressed that he didn’t want to fight a YouTuber. But that he needed a fight in May, according to sources,” Coppinger added.
Soon after they added a fourth fight to the massive deal and put an official end to discussions with Paul. Alalshikh is backed by massive Saudi money. Alvarez’s offer to fight the YouTuber-turned-boxer was likely huge. But it still pales in comparison to what Alalshikh can bring to the table.
In the end, Alvarez chose a bigger long-term payday than a really good one to face Paul in May.
Also Read: Canelo Alvarez’s next fight – Details on the Mexican star’s next bout
